We opted for a route which wasn't a circle...might as well not double back on where we have gone if we need taxi services to get dropped off and picked up!
We are have our outfitters guys drop us off at Little Caribou River, which we will follow and hope to sleep on Caribou Lake tonight. If we can find our way around. We have the compasses out, and our laminated map. Actually there are 11 laminated maps, which means we have details.
The vehicles are gone and we are on our own now. Time to load up our canoes and head off into the wild.
It takes a while to get organized, but eventually we have everything in. Check. Double check.
Into this new and mysterious territory we go. Paying careful attention to maps and compasses! We really don't want to get lost!
Kinda rugged looking here--just what I like!
We seem to be getting some idea of the size of things on the map.
We take a break for lunch.
And bathrooms. It doesn't make any difference if we find a campsite or not. There are no bathrooms. Anywhere. Not even a thunder box. We brought some shovels...and fortunately there is a lot of moss...so we don't need to tunnel far...just cover the TP with moss, we were told.
Time to find any clothes you want. While the packs are accessible.
Off we go again after filling up our energy reserves.
Now Nathan and Melanie clearly have way too much energy, and are bored waiting for us to catch up. So they show off for a while at how much they have to take it easy.
We make it to our portage. And what do you know, it is busy! Just like Algonquin. :p The "Russians" appear to be leaving. We have it in permanent marker on our laminated map page number 2 where the Russian group has been camping and fishing. I guess they won't be there when we get there anymore! Once the portage is empty we head through.
Canoe number one
Canoe number two
Canoe number three.
It's a short portage, maybe 100 meters? The kids are eager and I don't have to carry a canoe or even go back for extra luggage.
The lake shore is very windy so the canoes need to be held carefully. It takes extra care and time to load them up with waves coming in.
I decide that is far enough for the day, so we find the nearest campsite on Caribou Lake. It is small, but I think it's better than tackling the big waves with the way canoes are set up now. Plus some of the kids are getting tired, and we need their paddling help, especially through the waves!
Evelyn made a beautiful boat. So did Daniel and Jennifer and they let them float away in the waves.
Dinner time...this campsite even come with a bench. Well, just a log, but it's still nice enough to sit on.
Daniel was eager to help pump water after dinner for tomorrow's exercise. One chore that we aren't having to do is hanging up our food. There are no raccoons in Wabakimi (or nearby...we haven't actually crossed the boundary into the park yet) and the bears are not accustomed to riffling through campers food. Our packs are much too heavy to hang...we have two heavy food packs this year...so we put the bags away from each other and away from potential mice (not in the middle of the campsite) and try to not worry about them too much when we go to sleep.
1 comment:
It does look beautiful.
That sure is one big pack that Matthew is carrying!
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